Yes. Still, the problem with that thought is that your putting your faith in a guy who has never played a snap and a 33 year old. More importantly, there is no such thing a defense with 3 down linemen one of which is 270lbs that can be stout against the run. That's the reverse of the right kind of 3-4/4-3 hybrid defense. You want 4 down linemen; a traditional 3-4 nose tackle (Wilfork), a traditional 4-3 end (Jones), a traditional 4-3 tackle (need) and a versatile 3-4 end (need) who can rush the quarterback from 4-3 tackle. This defense subs out the low stamina nose tackle for a nickelback when they see 3 receivers, move a pass rushing outside linebacker to defensive end (or sub in a pass rushing defensive end if you are the 2012 Seahawks with Bruce Irvin, but they abandoned that after Alan Branch went to Buffalo). I think your biggest need in this draft class is defensive tackle. Chris Jones and Joe Vellano are just not very good, and I'm not banking on a guy who still hasn't played an NFL snap in Armstead. Frankly, you guys aren't prepared to make a transition to this kind of defense. The only way I could see a switch to that defense is in the following scenario:
You draft Rashede Hageman in the first round. He plays end in your base defense and tackle when you guys go to the nickel, assuming Wilfork is subbed out to conserve stamina.
You draft Dominique Easley in the second round. He plays 3 technique at all times.
You make Collins your pass rushing outside linebacker (people forget how many sacks he can get), moving him to defensive end in nickel situations like the Broncos with Von Miller.
Ninkovich never starts again, because, in the event you move to this defense, he's not athletic enough to play 4-3 outside linebacker in your base defense. He'll backup Chandler Jones.
This defense is incredible in theory. You've got 3 300lbs players to dominate the run when the offense is on the field with less than 3 receivers, and, unlike a 3-4 defense, you only put one of them as a 5 technique. Generally, 3-4 ends are terrible pass rushers, since any and every 3 man front makes run stopping the highest priority for the defensive line. However, in this case, you have 4 down linemen and a guy like Dominique Easley can be as aggressive as he pleases. And you still have two traditional speed rushers.
The problem with this defense though is that you need a Von Miller. A guy who is athletic and rangy enough to stop the run and cover tight ends when he plays like a 4-3 outside linebacker when you aren't in the nickel, but also possesses all of the pass rushing skills of your traditional 3-4 outside linebacker, while having the strength to hold his own as a 5 technique against the run if the opponent does run from a 3 receiver set. If you have a guy who can do all that, this defense is for you. As of now, the only player that possesses all of these qualities is Von Miller. But this is the one thing you guys definitely have going for you. If I had to bet on a young player to develop all of these qualities, it would be Jamie Collins. Collins is no Von Miller, but he possesses most of these qualities. He's extremely athletic, he can rush the quarterback, he has good size, and he can cover. The biggest question is whether or not he can develop the strength to anchor the run as a 5 technique in a nickel defense if the offense runs to his side from a 3 receiver set. He probably will need 5-10lbs to become that freaky. Frankly, the guy's feel for football is ridiculous (he has history with basically every position), and he might be able to handle that job. But you still need other spots to be filled.
